In an effort to regain its reputation, Roblox has just announced a series of reforms. Telia unveils the most important changes coming to Roblox that will likely appeal more to parents than their kids.
Roblox differs from other games in that more than half of its players are minors. For the above reason, this platform can attract people with evil intentions like a magnet. Unfortunately, in order to combat this, Roblox has had no choice but to restrict internal communication channels for its youngest players and deprive them of the ability to play some of the platform’s games. The little ones probably won’t be very happy because of it, but it should protect them from possible psychological traumas,” says Julija Markeliūnė, head of diversity and inclusion at Telia.
From bullying to blackmail
Roblox isn’t any one specific game. It is a game development tool that allows users to use their imagination, share it with other community members and even earn money from it. Although the platform has helped grow a number of professional game developers and attracted as many as 80 million regular users with its openness, player safety has not been a priority for Roblox for years. As a result, stories began to abound in various states when children who played Roblox suddenly needed psychological help.
Elementary school children who turn to specialists complain that they receive frightening messages about their home address, school or other private information that they supposedly know. They are also exposed to hate speech – insulting epithets and threats – while playing. Unsurprisingly, UK children’s helpline organizations Childline and the NSPCC have seen an almost five-fold increase in Roblox-related complaints since the pandemic.
“According to information provided in the UK, a ten-year-old claims to have received an offer to share intimate photos of himself in exchange for virtual in-game currency. Tempted by such a deal, the child was later blackmailed into sending more private shots, threatening to make the previously sent photos public. At that time, a girl of a similar age complained that she had experienced a decision to perform indecent acts in a game simulating the work of a pizzeria, for which she was again promised to be rewarded with virtual money. Finally, children in the “Roblox” environment are traumatized by constant deceptions, when it is offered to exchange various trophies, but the promise is not kept and the little one is left with nothing”, J. Markeliūnė mentions the disturbing stories.
Sadder for children, calmer for parents
Despite years of complaints about its juvenile-unfriendly policies and ineffectively moderated environment, Roblox has been slow to make the necessary decisions. And such passivity of developers did not go unpunished. Unsatisfied with the sexual content spread on the platform, the Turkish authorities made a strict decision in August this year to block access to the gaming platform in the country. It has become a cold shower for Roblox to take security more seriously.
These days, the company made a radical decision from November 18. 13 years old to remove the ability of underage players to use “social spaces” where different users could text and communicate with each other by voice. This should severely limit the ability of abusers to reach the youngest and most vulnerable individuals.
However, another change should upset the little ones the most. From December 3 of this year. Roblox game developers will be required to indicate whether their creation is eligible for 13. for players who have not reached If this is not done, the game will be automatically blocked for 12 years. and younger members of the community. Such a requirement is likely to cut young people off from a significant number of games they are currently playing successfully.
Freeform 2D content features will also be removed for starters in about a week. They allow you to draw or write in 2D format in the Roblox environment and share this content with other users without having to go through the moderator filter. This should protect babies from unacceptable images or symbols that could harm their psyche.
Roblox can grow your mobile account
Recently, there has been an increasing number of cases in Lithuania when children accidentally infect their parents’ phones with viruses that send malicious SMS messages while playing the popular Roblox game. Telia warns that such recklessness can lead to high costs for adults, and recovery of lost money is not possible in all cases.
“For many little ones, it’s more than just a game. They stubbornly strive for the best possible result and tend to use all possible means in this way. For this reason, it is easy to tempt them to download a modified version of the app, which supposedly will allow them to achieve a higher frame rate in the game, to use a fraudulent virtual game currency generator, or simply to purchase a game extension recommended by other players,” reveals J. Markeliūnė.
The biggest problem is that after downloading a game upgrade, young people, without thinking for a second, tend to meet all the conditions required by it. For modified Roblox apps or plug-ins, they give access to smart SMS messages and phone applications, collect the parents’ phone number and provide other identity data without going deep. This opens up a whole host of ways for fraudsters to profit.
“Viruses that have taken over a smartphone send hundreds or even thousands of messages in the background to high-rate foreign numbers. Since the latter are registered in third countries and are not included in the list of fixed fee subscriptions, a higher or lower fee is added to the user’s mobile communication account after each message, which eventually turns into a significant amount due to the large number of messages per month. “Unfortunately, the victim often learns about it only when it’s time to pay for mobile services, when it’s too late to take preventive measures,” states the Telia representative.
The only protection in this case could be nothing more than a reduction in the automatic mobile spending limit, which would prevent the bill from exceeding large amounts at the end of the month. If the predetermined monthly amount for mobile communication services is exceeded, the customer is informed about it and, if the advance is not paid, it is blocked preventively, preventing criminals from further profiting from his ignorance.
It should also be explained to children that games and their plug-ins must only be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play application stores, they should not click on unclear advertisements on web pages or on the same Roblox platform, and emphasize that phone numbers and other data cannot be displayed in the digital space without parental consent.
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How can companies improve their diversity and inclusion efforts to better protect vulnerable users in online spaces?
**Interview with Julija Markeliūnė, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Telia**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Julija. Roblox has faced significant scrutiny recently regarding player safety, particularly for minors. Can you tell us about the reforms the platform is implementing to address these issues?
**Julija Markeliūnė:** Thank you for having me. Yes, Roblox is making some important changes to ensure a safer environment for its young users. Starting November 18, they will restrict underage players from using certain social spaces that allow for texting and voice communication. This is a crucial step in limiting the risk of abuse and making the platform more secure for children.
**Interviewer:** That sounds promising. However, there are concerns that these reforms may negatively impact the gaming experience for younger players. What are your thoughts on this?
**Julija Markeliūnė:** Absolutely, some kids may feel upset about these restrictions, as they limit interactions with other players. However, the priority must be the safety of the children. Additionally, from December 3, developers will be required to label their games for appropriate age limits. If they fail to do so, the games will be inaccessible to players under 13. While this may mean fewer available games for younger users, it’s vital for protecting them from potentially harmful content.
**Interviewer:** There have been numerous reports of children facing harassment and exploitation while playing Roblox. How does Telia view the increase in such incidents, and what further steps do you suggest?
**Julija Markeliūnė:** The increase in reports—especially during the pandemic—has been alarming. We recommend consistent monitoring of the platform and proactive measures from parents. Parents should also educate their children about online safety, encouraging them to report any inappropriate behavior. The responsibility lies not just with Roblox but with parents and guardians to ensure their children’s online interactions are as safe as possible.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that Roblox has faced criticism in different countries, leading to restrictions or bans. How do you see this affecting the platform’s future?
**Julija Markeliūnė:** The scrutiny they’ve faced internationally, such as the ban in Turkey, serves as a wake-up call. If Roblox wants to maintain its user base and reputation, it needs to prioritize player safety seriously. If they can successfully navigate these challenges, they may emerge as a more trusted platform, particularly among parents. We hope that these reforms will not only draw back those who have been critical but also enhance user loyalty.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what advice would you give to parents who are concerned about their children using Roblox?
**Julija Markeliūnė:** Communication is key. Parents should have open discussions with their children about the potential risks of online gaming. Set clear boundaries on game usage and encourage kids to share their gaming experiences with them. It’s also vital for parents to keep an eye on the content their kids are exposed to and to use parental controls where available. Together, we can create a safer gaming environment for children.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Julija, for your insights. It’s clear that while the reforms may change the landscape of Roblox, they are necessary for ensuring the safety of its youthful players.
**Julija Markeliūnė:** Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial conversation that we need to continue.